Must Do's in New York

[marmiteandcheeseoncrumpetspls]

DD17 and I are going to New York for 4 days in December.
What are the 'Must do' things that you would recommend. We want to put together some sort of itinerary so we don't waste time faffing every morning!

So far we have :
Ground Zero
Rockerfeller Centre
Katz Deli
Central Park
Brooklyn Bridge
Empire State Building
Shopping
We have a Broadway show booked

Any recommendations gratefully received!

I disagree with NorthernSpirit. If you want to get close to the statue of liberty or take any decent photos of it at all then you need to visit the island itself. I've done both the Staten Island ferry and the proper tourist cruise and the staten island ferry sails by the statue at a distance and it's full of crowds at the windows jostling for a view. I'm surprised the ferry didn't capsize

For me my must do in NY is always a hot dog from a cart in Central Park.

After that I don’t care what I do.

The highline is great as a vantage point for sightseeing! Download a self guide tour and you can see some interesting things.

I walked the High Line - in June. It was nice and it hs lovely views but I wouldn’t touch it in December, it is bloody cold.

The Metropolitan Museum is great.

We went last year. We also went to Tiffany’s, New York Central library, the Met, Hard Rock Cafe is good, the burgers are immense!. Our best activity was DH’s choice, Rangers game at Madison Square Garden. I only went to humour him but it was brilliant! Such a laugh.

The library has the original pooh bear and friends.

We went to 9/11 and went up the one observatory. Didn't bother with the museum. Staten island ferry for Statue....stand on the right hand side of the boat.

Loved Ellen's Diner. We went for breakfast as no queue at 7am!.

Jersey gardens for shopping. Took the bus there and back.

Yellow cab ride

Grand central station and the whispering wall

Times sq so you can sit on the red steps

Disney shop so you can purchase minnie mouse dressed as Liberty

If you’re going to Central Park pop to Zabars first and pick up some great deli food to enjoy in the park 😋

Depending on when in December, go and see the department store windows in the evening. They are amazing at Christmas.

www.nyctourist.com/xmas_deptstores.htm

Then walk down towards the Rockefeller center where you can ice skate, see the tree, and I think they have a Christmas market there.

It might be very cold in which case think carefully about activities that involve being outside for a long time.

The Tick tock dîner plus it has a bogof shoe outlet store by it

If you like comedy I would catch a show or improv night at the UBC theatre.

We went to Katz's deli for breakfast to beat the queues - absolutely fabulous french toast!

We had an amazing meal in Koreatown at a BBQ place on the 35th floor. Not cheap but fantastic views and food.

I also think Chinatown is worth a wander, and go somewhere that does dim sum on trolleys. Soho is fun for a wander too. In fact generally my favourite thing to do in NY is just wander around.

Seeing the Jets if you are there when a game is on

Although I love this idea, the games are very long and very cold!

StCharlotte I've stayed in that hotel - agree that restaurant/bar is great for views - and cocktails. A (sort of) hidden gem.

It'll probably be freezing OP. I second the festive department store windows, Rockefeller plaza skating and Christmas tree, Rockettes, Tiffany's and Ellis Island. NYC is the best.

Things I’ve loved the best:

• walking in Central Park, did it in the snow once; still very pretty and a good excuse for hot chocolate afterward
• grand central station; I live the central hall, the sound is awesome. There is also a bar at the top where you can drink a cocktail and people watch
• top of the rock at like 8 or 9 at night; no queues , fabulous twinkly views and I prefer the Rockefeller centre to Empire State because from the top of the rock you can see the Empire State Building :)
• basketball at madison square garden; um. It much of a sports fan but it was sooooo much fun

As others have said I wouldn’t bother with Times Square - it’s a tacky hell hole

Definitely have an itinerary and divide the city into zones so you don't end up retracing your steps every day. Definitely top of the rock not Empire State.

The Met, the frick, the Guggenheim... all close together on the UES and add a wander in cp and a bit of lunch and some people watching and you'll have a fab afternoon.

Do a show - last minute tickets or Hamilton etc if you have the budget!

Brunch in Balthazar's, mocktails in the standard, momofuku milk bar for insane shakes and desserts...

Shopping of course... 4 days I wouldn't spend a day at the outlets.

I can't wait for my girls to be old enough to bring them to ny!

OK now I want to go back to NYC.

I prefer the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum to the Guggenheim, but tbf when I went to the Gugg it had a very dull exhibition on.

Grand Central is so beautiful and worth a drink and maybe some oysters.

I've never been to Momofuku or Milk Bar but would love to.

Do the Hamilton Lottery hamiltonmusical.com/lottery/

Also read The Rosie Project before you go, then visit the Museum of Natural History.

I would suggest a food walk around East Village. We went with Ziggy, details on Trip Advisor.

Breakfast at Tiffany's! You have to book in advance to get a table but it's easily done on the website, great value and great food!